Nuclear test survivor Bert Tomlin has died without learning whether his and his fellow veterans’ compensation claims can go ahead.

Mr Tomlin, of Sherwood Close, Faversham, was 70 and one of about 1,000 servicemen who spent time in the Pacific in the 1950s while atomic and hydrogen bombs were tested just a few miles away.

In 1976 he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease that over the past six to eight months had left him housebound and using oxygen around the clock.

Mr Tomlin was convinced that his ill health was caused by radiation exposure after the explosions and he and the other veterans were trying to claim damages from the Ministry of Defence.

But it has said that under the Limitation Act 1980 it is too late to launch personal injury actions.

The High Court is about to rule on this.

This week Mr Tomlin’s son Steven said the family had asked for a post mortem examination to be carried out and the results of this will be used in conjunction with the court case which his father had not lived to see. An inquest is also due to take place.

For the full story, see this week's Faversham News